Residents in Marlborough are turning their backs on the town's leisure centre and using the refurbished one in Pewsey instead.

But the council-run leisure centre could potentially be due a makeover itself as town councillor Jane Davies pushes for more funding.

According to Coun Davies, the declining condition of the leisure centre has caused locals to travel to Pewsey Leisure Centre following big investment there.

But she believes Marlborough locals shouldn’t have to travel to keep fit.

“The leisure centre is vital to the community not just for physical health reasons but mental wellbeing also,” she said in a town meeting.

“Its location is more accessible than St John’s and more available than Marlborough College facilities which are always booked up.

“The closure of the café and creche had a massive impact on usage. Small level local investors could re-instate these facilities which would immediately enhance the current offer."

One local GP who attended the council meeting said the leisure centre is a victim of “years of underinvestment,” and staff at Marlborough Leisure Centre couldn’t agree more.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The centre's carpark was largely empty when we visited at prime time after school.The centre's carpark was largely empty when we visited at prime time after school. (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s surprising how many Marlborough customers come here and say that they didn’t know we existed before,” said staff member Sue Elmer, who has worked at the leisure centre for almost 30 years.

“The whole thing needs a bit of an uplift, and it was being looked into.

“But it should have happened over the Covid year. That’s when it was going to happen and obviously it hasn’t, so we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for an investment.”

A lack of information about Marlborough Leisure Centre in town or online nhas been said to be one reason for the lack of interest.

“The location’s also not the best for us because we are quite hidden,” added Aidan Harper who has only been at the centre for six months.

“But some people must know we’re here because they manage to use the car park, even if we never see them in the leisure centre,” he added.

Following a recent push from Coun Davies and local residents, Marlborough Town Council has now written to Wiltshire Council to show strong support for a future investment.

In a response, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for leisure Ian Blair-Pilling told this newspaper: “The council is developing a strategy for the maintenance and development of its leisure facilities, including Marlborough, which will guide investment decisions across all 20 of our centres.

“While other authorities are closing facilities, all of Wiltshire’s remain open and thriving."